The President noted the importance of the visit of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the period when the relations between Ukraine and the United States had become even closer. He expressed hope that the given visit would provide practical saturation to a series of agreements reached with President Obama in the course of the visit of Petro Poroshenko to the USA on September 17-18, 2014. Particularly, the Head of State underlined the importance of enhancing relations in the sphere of energy and bilateral trade, as well as the coordination of efforts in cooperation with the IMF and the World Bank.

Secretary Pritzker assured President Poroshenko that the USA was ready to assist Ukraine in its aspirations to carry out reforms, strengthen the economy and improve business climate. “You people need reforms and the establishment of the system of equal opportunities for all citizens,” she noted. “Taking into account your Strategy of Reforms – 2020, you have a very ambitious vision of Ukraine’s future. It is wonderful. We will support you on the way of reformation of the country,” Penny Pritzker said.

Particularly, Secretary Pritzker emphasized the importance of adopting anti-corruption legislation initiated by the President. She also stressed the necessity of establishing an independent body aimed at fighting corruption and the importance of economic deregulation. These steps would provide powerful signals for investors, particularly American business community in Ukraine, and significantly help in overcoming economic difficulties.

President Poroshenko informed Secretary Pritzker on the initiatives aimed at fighting corruption, particularly the establishment of anti-corruption bureau and other initiatives suggested in the framework of the Strategy 2020. He expressed hope that the Verkhovna Rada would adopt anti-corruption legislation and deregulation package to improve entrepreneurship.

Also, the President expressed gratitude for the initiative to hold Ukrainian-American business-summit in December.

“I think that delivering information on the importance of ensuring security of investments in Ukraine is necessary for us,” Petro Poroshenko said.

The parties also discussed the issues of bilateral trade and energy. Particularly, the President expressed gratefulness for the efficient anti-crisis mission of the U.S. Department of Energy. “We hope for cooperation with American companies in the sphere of shale gas production,” the Head of State emphasized.

The visit of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to Ukraine has been made pursuant to the agreements reached in the course of the meeting between President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and President of the United States Barack Obama.

Press Office of the President of Ukraine

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